How long did you dance

in the meadow, daffodils,

before I saw you?

My apricot tree

has put on its fine green coat

to dance with the wind.

Though I dance like fire,

the pear tree did not teach me,

neither did the plum.

Autumn’s last hurrah:

fluff spilling from milkweed pods

dances in the wind.

On a city street,

oak leaves whirling in the wind

make me want to dance.

Dance

Three barefoot children

dance their way through the rubbish

on a Mumbai street.

empty plastic bag

that once contained his ashes—

Dad’s last dance with death

Moon

full moon in the pond

waiting for old Basho’s frog

to begin the dance

Old crane and his mate,

no longer driven to dance,

savor their sunset.

Morning offerings—

pilgrims dance to chiming bells

in the temple courts.